Double attack

SPECIALISTS: Australia look to spin twins

PORT OF SPAIN: AUSTRALIA may employ two specialist spinners for the second Test against the West Indies, which starts today at the Queen's Park Oval.

Nathan Lyon, who played in the three-wicket victory in Barbados in the first Test, could be partnered by left-arm spinner Michael Beer as the Australians look to wrap up the three-match series.

"Over the last two seasons it's been relatively low-scoring but also very, very spin-friendly. The temptation to play two spinners could be there," said Australia coach Mickey Arthur.

"You never write that off until you have a look at the conditions. I guess we've just got to look at conditions, then decide how best we're going to get 20 wickets."

Lyon took just one wicket in the three-wicket win over West Indies in Barbados, while Beer has only played one Test.

That was against England in Sydney in January 2011, where his match figures were an embarrassing one for 112.

Meanwhile, Arthur praised Michael Clarke after the skipper declared the team's first innings at 43 runs behind the West Indies before pushing for victory in the Bridgetown gloom on Wednesday.

"I thought it was a great idea and I sort of just backed him on it," said the coach.

"Michael needs to take all the plaudits for that because it was a brave decision that worked out for us.

"Tactically he is very good. He's very positive, a very aggressive captain and that's something I really enjoy and something I really like."

The last time that Australia played at Queen's Park Oval nine years ago, Ricky Ponting was man of the match.

He scored 206, his highest Test score at the time, as Australia scored a massive 4-576.

It was a high-scoring match that Australia went on to win by 118 runs. Of the current squad, Ponting is the only one to have played Test cricket at the ground.

Preparations were hindered on Friday when afternoon rain meant Australia had to cancel their training session, although the West Indies managed to complete theirs before the rain arrived. AFP

Double attack

SPECIALISTS: Australia look to spin twins

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